Forget for a moment the possibility of any of the Phillies' Big Three pitching on short rest. If the Phils manage to hang on to the best record in the National League, they'll have the opportunity to send either Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels or Roy Oswalt to the mound for 17 of their 19 potential playoff games.

The National League team with the best overall record gets to pick what day they want to start the NLDS. The choice is either Wed., Oct. 6 with an off day on Thursday and Game 3 on Friday. Or Game 1 on Thursday and Game 2 on Friday.

We'll assume for the sake of the demonstration that Roy Halladay will be the Game 1 pitcher, followed by Hamels and Oswalt.

NLDS

Oct. 6 - Game 1 - Halladay

Oct. 7 - Off

Oct. 8 - Game 2 - Hamels

Oct. 9 - Off

Oct. 10 - Game 3 - Oswalt

Oct. 11 - Game 4 - Halladay (Normal Rest)

Oct. 12 - Off

Oct. 13 - Game 5 - Hamels (Normal Rest)

NLCS

Oct. 16 - Game 1 - Halladay

Oct. 17 - Game 2 - Hamels

Oct. 18 - Off

Oct. 19 - Game 3 - Oswalt

Oct. 20 - Game 4 - Blanton

Oct. 21 - Game 5 - Halladay

Oct. 22 - Off

Oct. 23 - Game 6 - Hamels

Oct. 24 - Game 7 - Oswalt

World Series

Oct. 27 - Game 1 - Halladay

Oct. 28 - Game 2 - Hamels

Oct. 29 - Off

Oct. 30 - Game 3 - Oswalt

Oct. 31 - Game 4 - Blanton

Nov. 1 - Game 5 - Halladay

Nov. 2 - Off

Nov. 3 - Game 6 - Hamels

Nov. 4 - Game 7 - Oswalt

If the Phillies started the NLDS on Thursday instead of Wednesday, they would either have to pitch Halladay on short rest or use a fourth starter: